Searching for why consumers use certain search engines

Search has become such an important part of online shoppers` activities that retailers choosing which search engines to participate in should know why consumers use the different search portals--Google, Yahoo, MSN and AOL. Majestic Research Corp. in October released the results of a survey of consumers` use of the Internet. Among the data were insights on why consumers choose the portals they do, how aware they are of sponsored links and their attitudes toward search engines` use of consumers` demographic or behavioral data to target ads. Here are some of the findings in the 22-page report "Majestic Surveys: Internet Media and E-Commerce Usage Trends."